Islington council has rejected Arsenal football club’s proposal for a student accommodation scheme after a four-year planning battle.
The Gunners planned to build a 25-storey, 450-bed scheme near the club’s stadium, however the proposals have been turned down for having a negative impact on “the character and appearance of the surrounding area”.
Arsenal argued that other tall buildings had been allowed in the area, making the rejection inconsistent.
Planning inspector Graham Dudley, countered that: “While being over the 30m limit, tallness is relative; just because one or more buildings is classed as a tall building, say being 40m high, does not then justify another building substantially taller.”
